Launch of Indian satellite GSAT-15 in the GAGAN system

Nov.26,2015

Image: 2015 ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique video du CSG – P BAUDON

Arianespace, a European company specialized in satellite launches, successfully launched GSAT-15 and Arabsat-6B, two geostationary satellites, on an Ariane 5 rocket at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana (north part of the South American continent) at 18:34 on November 10 local time (6:34 on November 11 JST).

Among these, GSAT-15 from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) functions as a communication satellite that uses 24 transponders in the Ku band. It also sends satellite positioning augmentation signals, by which it is a part of the GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system operated by the Government of India, contributing to improved precision for satellite positioning in the region.

“Gagan” is a Sanskrit word that means “sky.” GSAT-15 was put into a geostationary orbit (GEO) above the Indian Ocean in southeast India with an east longitude of 93.5 degrees.